Oh? Is my babygirl’s face all warm and blushy? Or maybe she’s just still toasty from the bath... Hmm? Here, let me rub this cool aloe vera cream onto your cheeks... make them all better. Just... one... second...

There we go. My good girl. Aww, your cheeks are still looking so red. Maybe... my baby’s just blushy? Aww! My blushy little lamb... you're so precious when you're shy for me.

Let Mommy Sona wrap her arms around you, okay? There... you’re looking so snuggly and cozy. I hope Mommy’s keeping you warm, babygirl. Oh, you are? Good. There’s my goodest girl.

There, there, baby. Let Mommy stroke your hair. Oh, you’re so fluffy and soft... I could just get lost in your cute little curls. Shhh, shhh, shhh... I love you, baby. I've got you.

Is my sweet girl excited for her music lessons with Mommy tomorrow? You’ve been doing so well learning to play the piano, baby! 

Seeing you explore and love the things that I love makes my heart feel so full, you know that? You’re so precious to me. 

I love watching your gorgeous little fingers dance across the keys... you're still a bit clumsy, aren't you? But that's okay. Mommy adores teaching you.

Mommy doesn’t think her sweetest can handle her Etwahl just yet… I’m sure my very special instrument would love to let you play… but Mommy wants to make sure her baby knows exactly what she’s doing... I have to keep those precious hands safe.

But one day… when I can finally let my beloved touch its strings safely, it might just make this Mommy cry lots of joyful tears. Magic is a beautiful thing that I’d love for my sweetest heart to experience.

Mmmm… My sweetest little heart, snuggle up close, okay? Snuggle up to your tall, gorgeous Mommy. Big and strong, just to protect her little sweetheart. 

You can sit on Mommy’s lap while you play and I’ll wrap my arms around your little waist and hold you and kiss you all over. 

It might mess up your playing, though… But Mommy doesn’t care. Her sweet baby’s happy giggles are her favorite song.

That’s right, sweetest heart. My little melody. I love seeing you get all flustered and cute for me. More than absolutely anything, my little light…

Mommy’s got you, little love. You’re my precious babygirl! That’s right. You belong all to Mommy. Mommy’s gonna hold you… and kiss you… and love you… so so so so much, my sweet baby.

Aww… Baby’s nose is twitching like a little bunny! Is she enjoying Mama’s perfume? What does baby smell? …Lavender? …Lemon? …A little clove? Oh my sweet love has such a good little bunny nose!

Hush now, sweetness. I can see those pretty little eyelids getting all heavy. That’s my special, precious girl. Shhh, shh, shh, shhh. My precious little angel.

You look so pretty when you’re sleepy. Such a gorgeous, perfect, precious little dove. All for Mommy. That’s right. You are Mommy’s… Forever and ever, my sweetness…

Oh? There those little sleepy twitches go…I think my baby’s almost asleep. There, there, my little lamb. Listen to Mommy’s heartbeat. Slow… Steady… Strong for my babygirl…  

Linda, Beaumont, could you get the tape measures please? Thank you.

We’re going to get a bit closer to you now, is that all right? Thank you, please let us know if you are displeased or uncomfortable with anything, or if you would like to take a break at all. Now, could you stand up straight for us please, and hold your arms out at your sides? Thank you very much.

Let’s see here…shoulder to wrist on the left is…while shoulder to wrist on the right…could I ask you to slouch a bit for us? Nothing exaggerated, just your normal standing posture, whatever’s comfortable…thank you, that’s excellent…so now this…perfect…is it all right if Linda takes your inseam measurements? Or would you be more at ease if Beaumont took them? …Marvelous, thank you.

May I ask that you please don’t suck in your gut? We’d like to ensure that the garment fits and flatters your figure no matter what you’re doing…eh?

You, you aren’t?…Huh. You really aren’t, are you…ah, my apologies, I’ll just take your waist measurements then. And now Beaumont will measure your wrists…

…Forgive my prying, but you wouldn’t happen to be dieting, would you? No? Hm… Would you be comfortable if Linda took this circumference…? Thank you very much.

Which dorm are you in at Night Raven College, may I ask? …R-Ramshackle Dorm…? Forgive my ignorance, but which one is that? An auxiliary dorm, huh…

Well, that just goes to show what a great school Night Raven College is, to even have auxiliary dorms like that! Please, turn this way for a moment, and…

Thank you for your patience. You did beautifully—if half of our clientele stood as still as you while we were measuring them, our jobs would be much simpler.

Now, we do have a clothing screen just there—if you would feel comfortable changing behind there, we have the Luxe couture you’ll be wearing on the Tapis Rouge. If you need any help putting anything on, please let us know, okay? If you’d like us to wait outside the dressing room curtain, that’s perfectly fine as well.

All finished? Excellent, feel free to come out here…yes, as Mr. Schoenheit thought, it’s all too big, isn’t it?

However, I can cast a little magic to remedy that. Are you all right with me using a spell on you? I promise it will only affect the clothes, not you.

Thank you for your permission. I’ll stop at any time if you tell me to, okay?

Fortune in the future

Means industry in the now

To save nine, let’s make it,

Stitch in Time

There! How does that feel? Is there anywhere that’s too tight? Anything not fitting comfortably?

Hehe, you’re impressed? My Unique Magic, Stitch In Time, allows me to alter the sizes and stitching of any fabric I touch to exactly fit its wearer. I do need to know the wearer’s measurements, and the fabric needs to already be in the shape of the desired garment, but it’s very helpful for any adjustments that our clients may desire.

Hm? …why, Prefect, whatever are you thanking me for? This is just my…

For asking before using my magic?

O-oh. Oh well, that’s no trouble at all, I assure you. It’s just. Just common courtesy…

Ahem, w-well, why don’t we move on to your hair and makeup? Please, come and have a seat here and we can get started.

Hmm…your bangs are quite long—would you be at all opposed if we…? You don’t want them cut, I see. Still, if we used some pins to pull your hair away from your face, would that be something you’re okay with? You don’t mind? Marvelous, marvelous.

We’re just going to comb them and the rest of your hair out before we do so…Do you mind if I spritz it lightly with some water to help with styling? No? All right, I’ll just shield your face and…there we go. I’ll start at the ends and work my way up to the root…gently now…that’s the way…

Have you ever visited the Shaftlands before? Ah, you’ve been to Noble Bell College in Fleur City, I see! I’ve heard that the pastries there are almost good enough to rival the pâtissières here in Maquillaville. And the flowers…are they as beautiful as people say?

Oh? You weren’t a big fan? Well, to each their own I suppose. The Great Seven know that hay fever there must be terrible.

All right, I’m just going to set down the comb and slide this pin in here. And another one…here. Smooth this section out…slide that one in there…last but not least…and how is that feeling? Nothing feels too tight or too loose? The last thing we’d want is for you to get a traction headache on the Tapis Rouge…no? Everything feels comfortable? Marvelous, marvelous.

You do have lovely bone structure. Lots of freckles as well…we can go with a lighter foundation which can color-correct without getting rid of your freckles entirely for a more youthful look, or we can go with a heavier one to cover them up entirely. Which would you prefer?

Excellent. I’m just going to clean your face with this micellar water, to remove any makeup or dust that may be there before hand.

Oh…if you’ll forgive my saying so, Prefect, I must admit I’m surprised by the quality of your makeup…this texture…close your eyes for me please? Thank you…this texture usually speaks to quite…affordable products, tilt your head to the left please, which don’t usually prioritize skin maintenance or smoothness of application. Okay, that’s the removal done, so if you could lift your face slightly please for the moisturizer…lovely, thank you…I’m honestly impressed, with how smoothly you’d blended it, I’d believed you were wearing products of a much higher caliber…eh? Your…stipend…means you need to make do…? I see…well, if it’s not beyond my station, I’d say that you’ve more than ‘make do’, you’ve adapted marvelously…down a bit...Please, don’t thank me Prefect. I don’t deserve such praise for merely speaking the truth.

Okay, now we’re going to use these sponges to apply your primer and your foundation. Please feel free to watch my movements in the mirror to help you recreate this for tomorrow morning…though, as your group will be returning here to collect Mr. Schoenheit’s final accessory before heading onto the Tapis Rogue, we’ll be happy to fix anything up if you would like us to!

Just spreading it evenly here…chin up for me please…there we go. And now for your foundation…starting from your nose and working outwards over your cheeks…sweeping down around the mouth to the chin…and blossoming like a flower over your forehead…wonderful.

Hmm…there do seem to be some darker circles under your eyes here, even through the foundation. Let me grab the concealer, and we can dab a small amount juuust here…there we are. Please ignore this question if it makes you uncomfortable, Prefect, but have you been having any trouble sleeping recently? …Nightmares? Ah, I see. It’s understandable, I also found high school very stressful while I was going. For me personally, I found drinking a valerian and camomille tea blend and having a warm bath before bed did wonders for reducing the number of nightmares I had during school, though I’ve also heard that light exercise like yoga or walking can have the same effect…

Eh? Y-you’ll try it if you can find a bath in your dorm that is functional? But you’re at Night Raven College, why…? Ah, pl-please forgive my rudeness! I’m rambling far too much, please, allow me to apply the setting powder with this brush and then we will move on to your contouring. I’ll gently dust it onto your face here…close your eyes for me quickly…perfect. You can open your eyes again, if you would like. Now, we are going to use some highlight and bronzing to accentuate your cheekbones and your jawline here, giving a bit of emphasis to their lovely shape without over-exaggerating. Please feel free to watch my movements again, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Let’s see…a dab here…sweep across there…perfect…all right, let’s switch to the other now…down the sides…chin up slightly…and we’ll just blend…lovely.

All right, we’ll move on to your eye makeup now. We will be using this palette here to create a gradient look, using the lighter cream and beige tones to highlight the inner eye, then deepening until we reach the mocha and umber shades at the other end here. We’ll be accentuating this with dark brown winged eyeliner and matching mascara—it’s a cool enough tone that it won’t bring out any redness in your eyes or face, but as it’s warmer shade than true black it will enhance the eyeshadow and help bring focus to your eyes and their lovely color.

Just close them for me now…perfect…let me know if I’m causing you any discomfort during this, okay? Wonderful.

…and the last bit here, marvelous. If you could open your eyes for me please? Ah, you’re looking up already, thank you. Just hold still for me here…that’s one…and that’s the other. The mascara…and done! You look stunning, Prefect.

Now, if it’s all right, there is one final aspect of your look which we would love to ask you about. There has been some discussion among the staff as to whether to finish off this look with a hat or not. This is purely optional, of course, and if you decide you are happy with how you are now, you’re more than welcome to rejoin your friends in the main area of the store.

You’d be interested to see it? Fantastic, Beaumont and Linda will bring it right out. Naturally, we do want to keep the “mysterious” vibe that Mr. Schoenheit outlined in his profile of you…eh? Yes, he submitted profiles for you and each of your school friends. This is what the design team has been using to create your Luxe couture—were you not aware?

Well, it’s the basis behind the design of your outfit;

The club collar of your shirt is designed so that it will not deform or wrinkle with the strap of the ghost camera around your neck, and the shirt’s rich burgundy color complements the browns and golds of the camera itself. The cream silk tie does so as well, with the tie pin ensuring that it won’t jostle or shift unflatteringly as you handle your camera on the Tapis Rouge.

The asymmetry of the fawn wrap coat lends you an air of enigma, while remaining practical with the form-fitting sleeves, a flared mid-thigh hem, and fitted belt cinching it shut the waist. Of course, the emeralds and pearls on the belt and the amethysts in each cufflink, at the lapels, and on your tie pin catch the eye with their sparkle, remaining subtle enough to be classy while still leaving the viewer wanting to know more. (The amethysts also somewhat match Grim-sama’s magic gem, heehee!) The trousers are 3/4 length and slim to allow for ease of movement and invoke a youthful, on-the-go image, especially when paired with the pop of hunter green socks against dark riding boots.

Yes, this look was designed to encapsulate, as Mr. Schoenheit wrote, “a neurotic busybody of a spudling whose actions defy comprehension”…erk!!

I, I meant to say, a conscientious freshman with an air of mystique. Y-yes, that’s what’s written here!

…please don’t tell.

Eh? You’re used to it, so don’t worry about it?

…

…you’re far too kind, Prefect.

Ah, Linda and Beaumont, thank you. As-as I was saying, to bring the look together, we were thinking of finishing it with this hat here. It’s a slightly modified version of a bycocket, a hat which was extremely fashionable in the Beautiful Queen’s time.

While it’s not confirmed whether the Queen’s Huntsman actually wore this particular style of hat, it was quite renowned among hunters and archers alike of the period. A curved brim in the back and sides to provide sun protection to the neck and ears, while in the front it comes to an extended thin point as you can see here. (Though ours isn’t as dramatic as some of the points you can see on historical versions of this hat!) Perfect for keeping the sun out of any hunter’s eyes as they fix their sights on a target.

Hm? Did I say something funny, Prefect? Oh, you have an upperclassman in Mr. Schoenheit’s dorm who enjoys hunting? M-my, you’ll have to tell him about this, I’m sure an associate of Mr. Schoenheit’s will appreciate the history of something like this! Though, even if you aren’t a hunter, this brim will at least shield your eyes while not casting any out-of-place shadows onto your camera lens. The fawn color will match with your wrap coat and trousers, while the burgundy band pairs neatly with your shirt. And, small enough to not be too noticeable here, on the left side of the band— a little hunter green feather.

Would you like to try it on?

Marvelous, here we go…oh. Oh. Oh that, that looks fantastic on you, Prefect! Simply stunning, the way it accentuates your jawline and makes your eyes pop even more! And how well it enhances the outfit…please, please take a look, what do you think?

You like it? I’m so glad! Your sense of taste is exceptional, it’s almost as though this hat was made for you!

Well, with that, we can officially declare your look complete! In this bag here are some smaller containers of the makeup and skincare products we used for you today, plus brushes—you’ll be able to apply this yourself at your hotel, but again, if you have trouble with anything we’re more than happy to touch up anything and everything tomorrow. Your friends should be finished as well, so they’ll just be in the main body of the store through here.

It’s so good to hear your voice again darling, It feels like it’s been forever since we’ve spoken, like actually just talked. I know we’ve been texting, but it’s just not the same as hearing your voice.

How have you been, what’s it like where you are *Brief pause optional here* oh that sounds interesting, and love, I’ve missed you too, if I could, I would give you the biggest hug you could imagine right now.

Oh! We have to plan a trip to see each other again, last visit was so- magical! When we see each other next we just have to go to that restaurant you suggested, I know, I know, it’s expensive, but the way you described the food there, I can’t not try it! And what better time to do so than with you there!

Hey, of course I don’t just want you there so I can try some of what you order with what I get silly, ok… maybe that’s part of it *small chuckle* but it’s not the main reason, I want to have dinner with you my love.

Hmmm, when we do go to that restaurant what do you think you’ll get (small pause) Hey that’s what I was gonna get ya' goober. I guess I’ll have to pick out a different dish… or… Maybe you can pick something out for me! So whatcha thinkin’ (Small pause) oh, that sounds pretty good actually. Now for drinks, I know they have those specialty drinks there… I’m thinking about a dreamscicle float personally. Orange soda with a scoop of vanilla, mm~ Perfect.

Hey, An ice cream float is a perfectly valid choice for a drink, even if it doesn’t come with refills ha-ha, water is always an option for after I drink the float, now how about you, if you were to get a drink what would you choose (small pause)

Hey, I might just be rethinking my drink choice right now because that sounds like it would really hit the spot right about now. Ok, enough about food, what do you wanna do when we finally see each other again, (listening) hmm ok, ok, I like it, ok sounds like a plan!

Y-yeah I’m ok it’s just… I- it was meant to be a surprise but, I started saving and, well, I have enough for a two way ticket for you to come up and see me, I didn’t actually buy the tickets yet so we could decide a date when I originally meant to tell you, but I suppose now’s a good time.

Love, don’t thank me, if anything this is for me too, I want to see you, if anything I should thank you for being willing to make the trip!, It’s quite the distance from me to you, and you being willing to travel that far just to see me, it means the world.

Maybe next month would work. It's far enough out that I could try and get off work, and you already have that vacation you have to use, so, it works out right, I’m sorry for making assumptions, wait really, it does work for you. I can’t wait, Oh my gosh I’m so happy right now.

I’m gonna make sure it’s perfect, every detail, every moment- Of course I know I don’t have to do that, I want to though. It wouldn’t hurt for me to put in some effort beyond saving, you are coming all that way after all. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure to be there when you arrive, Oh and I’ll bring a surprise, I don’t know what it’ll be yet, but it’s gonna be great I swear.

No no, don’t worry about me, all you need to bring is yourself, I promise, I don’t expect you to bring me anything special, beyond yourself that is. Baby, of course I mean it, you are all that I need, I promise…

Ok, if you really want to you can bring me something (small pause) wait, you got me something already, (small pause) Do I want it to be a surprise? Well you know how I am about surprises, I mean just think about it earlier, I couldn’t keep a secret for the the life of me ha-ha, of course I want to know what the thing is, but do you want to tell me?

Woah! How did you know I wanted that... ok, you have a point, it is all I have talked about for the past, well, forever.

Darn I gotta go soon… Baby

*long pause*

Hey, you got quiet all of a sudden, is everything ok darling. I know, it’s just, normally you don’t go quiet like that… Oh, baby I know a month feels like an eternity, but once that month is over, we can finally see each other again, and it’s not like we can’t call again before then.

Baby, in all the years we’ve been together, the distance hasn’t once made me question whether I love you or not, if anything, it strengthened my trust in our relationship, after all, if a distance this big isn’t an issue, then it must mean something positive right!

I’m glad it helped, I know you can get worried sometimes, but it’s gonna be ok, soon my love,  we’ll be able to just hold eachother, not just in our hearts, but in our arms. I’ll hold you close, and everything will be ok., Baby, you don’t need to be sorry, we all feel, we all have emotions. I love you lots.

How about we call again tomorrow, maybe_ We could sleep on call! I know how much you like that.

Love, before I go, I wanna say it one more time, I love you more than anything, more than the stars in the sky, the buzzing of the bees, the cold blow of an autumn breeze, and the beautiful green of an evergreen. You are my sun and you are my moon, my life would feel incomplete without you, so once again before I go, I love you

Narration Key

{...} = Pause for Listener response for about 2-3 seconds

{—} = Pause for Listener response for about 5-6 seconds

[Insert text] = Tone indicators, narration cues, descriptions to help with clarity (not to be narrated) and sound effects (which are optional but may help convey actions)

“Insert text” = Dialogue

Usage

Feel free to use this script monetized or not, just be sure to credit me if this script is used. Please, however, keep this audio as “4A”. Gender of the speaker can be changed but the gender of the listener must be kept as “anybody” if you wish to use this script. Thanks! :)

Characters

Athol: A vampire who’s been travelling with the Listener for around a year. They’re teasing, very good at complaining and very bad at opening up about their feelings. They have very loose and flexible morals and spent some years as a high priority target for the Hunters Association. They’ve been travelling with the Listener for some months now but tend to argue over their difference in morals quite a bit, putting a strain on what could be a friendship.

Listener (AKA Hunter): A Hunter-For-Hire travelling between the regional towns looking for work. As there's minimal support when it comes to magic outside of the walled cities aside from the Hunters Association, they think it’s their duty to aid those they can. They hold very little respect for the Hunters Association but were very close to graduating from the Association’s trainee program.

Motel Owner: Their family has lived in Lake Stine for generations. They’d do anything to keep their town safe and prosperous.

Setting

Lake Stine, a country town built upon a slowly-drying-up river.

Context

Athol and the Listener have arrived in Lake Stine hunting a rogue shifter and begin their investigations around the small township.

CONTENT WARNING: depictions and descriptions of violence and injury.

Script on scriptbin!

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Script

[The clamour of a relatively busy cafe (for a small town) buzzes in the background. Athol and Listener are seated in the back of Lake Stine’s one and only cafe. New Orleans R&B croons quietly as background music]

Athol: [Grumpily] “‘The room will be ready in the early afternoon.’ Ugh. Get real. As if anyone stops long enough in this dingy old town to leave a mess.”

{...}

Athol: “That’s true. Well they’d better hope none of their staff have any allergies cause I’d be willing to bet good money they’re cleaning a century's worth of dust build up.”

[Shoes on wooden flooring as one of the waitstaff approaches]

Athol: [To the waitstaff] “Huh? Oh, no. I’m fine for now… Oh, them?”

{...}

Athol: “More caffeine? Seriously? Especially after what just happened this morning?”

{—}

Athol: “Yeah. That’s what I thought. [Back to the waitstaff] That’ll be all, thanks.”

[Waitstaff leaves]

Athol: “I’m seriously convinced you’d live off nothing but caffeine if it wouldn’t send your body into catatonic shock.”

{...}

Athol: “That’s one of the most unconvincing arguments I’ve heard from you yet, Hunter. Those foul energy drinks finally getting to you? Maybe this is my chance to free myself from all that garbage you’ve got crammed in that rusty excuse you call a car.” 

{...}

Athol: “Yeah, yeah. I heard you the first fifty times. It’s your pride and joy… which isn’t saying much.”

[Thunk as Listener kicks Athol under the table]

Athol: “Ouch! Alright! Alright! God, you’re more defensive over that car than your own damn life.”

[Shoes on floor again. Cup and saucer set down on the table]

Athol: [Distracted, to waitsaff] “Thanks.”

[Shoes fade again]

Athol: “Did you get anything useful from the information centre? That ridiculously overstuffed bag isn’t exactly filling me with hope.”

{...}

Athol: “I’ll believe everything’s useful when it proves its use, thanks.” 

{—}

Athol: “You may as well hand some over. The quicker we do this, the faster we can get out of this snooze-fest of a town.”

[Shuffling of papers as Listener and Athol comb through what Listener retrieved]

Athol: “A brochure from a hunter’s club? I’m pretty sure their game’s a little different to yours, Hunter.”

{—}

Athol: “That’s… not an entirely terrible idea. If they’ve seen abnormal wildlife, it would certainly get the grapevine buzzing. And judging by some of these photos, I’d say a solid percentage of this town is part of the club.”

{...}

Athol: “If there’s one thing that spreads quick, it’s small town gossip.”

[More shuffling papers as the search continues]

Athol: “Good lord. How many newspapers can one town produce? How far back do these date?”

{...}

Athol: “We only started this hunt two weeks ago. How does a tiny town like this drum up the funds for a daily newspaper cycle?”

{...}

Athol: “A dedicated reader base is still a small reader base.”

{—}

Athol: “Boats being torn up? There’s no way in hell the shifter we’re chasing is marine. The last three towns we were in were miles away from anything bigger than a puddle. It was probably just some bad weather.”

{—}

Athol: “I don’t know if a dented mailbox counts as a clue. For all we know it could’ve just been some dumb kids drunk on the high of getting a driver's license.”

[Pause as both Listener and Athol continue reading]

Athol: “Here. What about this?”

{...}

Athol: “And what, your dented mailbox theory is any better?”

{...}

Athol: “Just because it’s by the water doesn’t mean the shifter necessarily has to swim.The fisherman’s boats didn’t make sense because the damage was all in the hull. They’re docked in a private boat yard you’d only be able to access through the water and in freak weather like that anything that wasn’t a marine animal would’ve a hell of a time trying to navigate those waters. But here, look at this, there’s no way in hell all that damage to this hut was from the same weather event. That has to be claw marks on the right side.”

{...}

Athol: “Exactly. Using a storm like that for cover means a quick getaway too.”

{—}

Athol: “Well, if this hunting gig has taught me anything it’s that we should cover all our bases. Like I said before, small town gossip travels quick so asking around is our best bet.” 

{—}

Athol: “Sounds like a good place to start. Even if the motel owner doesn’t know anything, it’s around time we check in so it won’t be a total waste of time.”

[Squeak of chairs against flooring as the Listener and Athol stand up]

Athol: [Teasing] “Leaving without paying, Hunter? I didn’t think you had it in you.”

{...}

Athol: “Uhuh, you were ‘getting to it.’ Sure.”

[Scene fades out into the local motel. A bell rings as the door opens and Listener and Athol enter. An old radio crackles but doesn’t spout anything legible. The Motel Owner is polite, warm and friendly with a country accent]

Motel Owner: “Good afternoon. How can I help you two today?”

{—}

Motel Owner: “I see you’ve been readin’ up on the local paper. You must be the ‘leather wearin’ hero’ Bessie helped out at the information centre. We don’t get folks from the Hunter’s Association out here very often. Lake Stine likes to handle its own issues. No offence, of course. I’m sure the Association does good work but we find keepin’ it local is better for business.”

{...}

Motel Owner: “Not with the Association, huh? Coulda sworn you were a Hunter. I saw some of the kit you’ve got in that mighty car of yours when you pulled into my parking lot.”

Athol: [Quietly, only to the Listener] “Told you we should’ve ditched that stuff.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “A Hunter-for-Hire? Well I always do like to support independent businesses. So, how can I help you today?”

{...}

Motel Owner: “Old Hank’s fisherman hut? Yeah, she took quite a beatin’ during the storm that just swept in. Hell of a howler that was. Old Hank hopped town after that. Bessie thinks he musta driven out as soon as it gave way, none of us saw him leavin’ after all. Not that I blame ‘im. Fish just isn’t that popular ‘round here anymore. Guess you could say we’ve developed a taste for heartier game.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “That’s right. The other fisher-folk left soon after Old Hank. With their boats torn up like that they thought they’d try their luck elsewhere. Real pity that was. Most of their families moved ‘ere when mine did. A shame. No loyalty to their hometown.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “Ah. Missus Mable’s mailbox. Yeah, the little stinkers who caused that were caught real quick. Missus Mable was in a right state so the gents from the hunters club banded together to find ‘em. They were real apologetic after, and as the soft-hearted lady she is, Missus Mable let ‘em off easy. Not personally the path I’d go down but to each their own. She got ‘em to fix the busted box and they were off the hook.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “I guess you could say I’m familiar with the folks ‘round here. My family’s lived ‘ere for just about two centuries now and we don’t got no plans of leavin’ any time soon. I try to give back where I can, so I like to hear the local’s stories. Always makes ‘em happy to have a ear listenin’ out. Helps too that my older brother is the mayor of this old town.”

Athol: “You two must put a lot of effort into this town then.”

Motel Owner: “We do what we can.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “Now that’s a club that’s gotten real popular as of late! Old Hank was real sour after the fishin’ club regulars started turnin’ towards Micheal’s hunting club. But with the old lake dryin’ up more year after year, I guess a lotta folks wanted to turn to greener pastures. I don’t have a personal interest in any of that, it’s better for my state of mind. But I’m sure Micheal down at the pub would be more than willin’ to chat. He’s always lookin’ for new members.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “What makes you say that?”

{—}

Motel Owner: “Yeah, I have heard about that. A couple passin’ through yesterday brought it up. They were real concerned about those maulings but I reassured them that no trouble would dare bring itself to Lake Stine.”

{...}

Motel Owner: “A shifter, huh? Well I suppose towns like these attract all sorts of unwelcome folk. They think just cause the walled cities won’t have nothin’ to do with us, that they can just throw their weight around. ‘Course most towns like this rely on the Hunters Association but we haven’t had to make a call out in three decades now. Guess we just got more resources.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “Lake Stine’s treated her townsfolk well. The loyal ones, anyway.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “I’d be devastated if that was the case. But I don’t think it’s likely. Old Hank was a pretty big chap, all that manual labour’s gotta leave some mark. After his old garage’s legs gave way and just about fell into the river, the local repair shop offered to hang on to his car ‘til he figured somethin’ else out. Sheila was chekin’ stock before opening right after the storm and noticed his car was missin’ as soon as she arrived.”

{...}

Motel Owner: “Nah. We’ve been mostly occupied lendin’ a hand with the residents who stuck around.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “Ah, so you’ve booked a room here? How long you plannin’ on staying?” 

{...}

Motel Owner: “Fair enough. Everybody’s gotta work hard to get anywhere these days. Now which room was it?”

Athol: “Room 105.”

Motel Owner: [Amused] “You must be the ‘alluring stranger’ my wife mentioned!”

Athol: “I’m flattered.”

Motel Owner: “Well, your room should be all set up by now. Feel free to ring reception between 8 and 6 if you need anything.”

Athol: “Thanks.”

[Footsteps on carpet as Athol and Listener head for their room. Scene change as Athol throws their bags down onto one of the two beds]

Athol: “Finally. If I had to be stuck in these three-day-old clothes for one more hour I would’ve lost it. Truly, I’ve never met newer lows than I have travelling with you, Hunter.”

{—}

Athol: “Yes, being stuck in sweaty, dusty clothes is a newer low than draining some random. Not that you’d know. I’m half convinced that leather jacket is melded to you. Are you sure you don’t wear that to sleep? Sneak out of bed once you’re sure I’m asleep and slip it on? It would give you a reason to always be awake before I am.”

{...}

Athol: “I am the pinnacle of humour.” 

{...}

Athol: “Whatever helps you sleep at night, Hunter. But anyways, what did you think of old country hospitality over there?”

{—} 

Athol: “Yeah. Don’t know if I believe that ‘Old Hank’ left right after his hut collapsed. We were only on the edges of that strom and you could barely drive. You’ve driven to hell and back in that old rust bucket so, as much as I hate to admit it, it wasn’t your driving capabilities that were the problem.”

{...}

Athol: “Uhuh. Remember that time you chased me all the way to that mountain village and ended up having to drive through almost three feet of snow? I swore that was the time I’d finally shake you off my tail but here we are, huh?”

{—}

Athol: “But yeah, no way in hell anyone could’ve driven in weather like that. Still… the missing car is a bit odd.”

{...}

Athol: “Exactly. If we can check out the damage, we should get a better idea of what happened.”

{—}

Athol: “So many people to interview and so little time.”

{...}

Athol: “We’ve split up plenty, Hunter. This isn’t exactly new information.”

{...}

Athol: “Speaking of new information though… what do you think about that… thing we almost hit.”

{...}

Athol: [Annoyed] “Well I couldn’t exactly tell what the hell it was so you’ll have to settle with ‘thing’ for now.”

{...}

Athol: “I’d say whatever it was, there’s a pretty high likelihood that it’s what we’re hunting.”

{...}

Athol: “Exactly. The storm slowing it down means that we’ve been given time to catch up. And if it's been in its shifted form for as long as you think it has, the animal instincts that took over probably got hellishly disoriented in that storm. Though, if it didn’t before, it definitely knows that we’re on its tail now.”

{—}

Athol: [Cocky] “Worried? Me? Please. If I can handle you tracking me for almost a year, I can handle some no-brained mutt.”

{...}

Athol: “Alright. Well, while you rub those depressingly minimal brain cells together to figure out how you’re going to occupy yourself until the sun goes down, I’m going to take a shower.”

[A bag unzips and clothes shuffle around as Athol rummages around for fresh clothes and a towel. Improv muttering to themself. Footsteps on carpet before a door opens and closes. Muffled squeak of a rusty shower handle being turned. Wait a few beats.]

Athol: [Muffled, loudly.] “You’ve gotta be shitting me!”

[Door opens and slams shut.]

Athol: [Angrily] “Of course an arse-backwards town like this can’t handle having working water in its only motel.”

{—}

Athol: “No. It’s fine. Don’t bother. If I get desperate I’ll go find the owner myself. Hopefully I won’t have to and the water will be back on after I’ve gotten some actual sleep.”

{—}

Athol: “Well, say hi to Micheal down at the pub for me then. Nothing much I can do ‘till the sun goes down, but I can take a look over at ‘Old Hank’s’ hut while you rest up tonight.” 

{...}

Athol: “Try not to intimidate too many residents into answering, will you?”

[Room door opens and closes as Listener leaves. Wait a few beats before the bell above the motel’s door tinkles as the Listener returns. Listener has returned from speaking to Micheal]

Motel Owner: “Well hi there. I hope your chat with Micheal was productive.”

{...}

Motel Owner: “Zachary’s an old friend of mine and likes to let me know his appreciation when one of my customers visits his pop’s pub.” 

{...}

Motel Owner: “We all try to support each other in our own ways, ‘round here. Keeps us happy and safe.” 

{...}

 Motel Owner: “Yeah. Safe. We don’t get lots of issues this far out but keeping an eye on a neighbour or two doesn’t hurt. It’s how we made sure Missus Mable’s power didn’t go out during that storm.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “I noticed that 20 minutes after I checked you folks in. The plumbing should be fixed by now, I made sure of it.”

{...}

Motel Owner: “Oh yeah, me and the missus do everything ourselves. We don’t get a lot ‘a support but it keeps us busy and happy.”

{...}

Motel Owner: “That’s right, plumbing, electricity, security, I do it all. My missus takes care of the cooking and cleaning. She really does keep the cogs turnin’ in this old place.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “Ah, we get a few folks who’ve had a little too much to drink sometimes. I just make sure they get to their rooms alright. Don’t really need security in a quiet town like this.” 

{—}

Motel Owner: “No, I’m not much help when it comes to any magical issues. We’ve got the priest up the road, and if it gets real hairy the hunters club can sort it out.” 

{...}

Motel Owner: “Yeah, Father Markus did visit recently. How could you tell?”

{—}

Motel Owner: “Ah, well I suppose it makes sense you Hunters are trained to pick up even that sort of magic. Especially with that inadvisable travel buddy you’ve got.”

{...}

[The atmosphere shifts to something more tense]

Motel Owner: “I don’t mean nothin’ by it. It’s just not everyday folks like us travel with… leeches.”

{...}

Motel Owner: “I was pretty damn obvious. Even little Johnny would’ve been able to sus your vampire out. What with the red eyes and the aversion to the outside. Although I’m sure your pal isn’t adverse to the great outdoors once the sun sets. Probably isn’t adverse enough.”

{...}

Motel Owner: “I know vampires can’t actually be killed by the sun. Gives ‘em a hell of a rash though. And I know I’m not the only one who feels a little better knowin’ they can’t be at the height of their power under the sun.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “I’m a good listener. Some of you Hunters have real loose tongues once the alcohol gets flowing.”

{...}

Motel Owner: “Don’t think much of it. My missus’ll get any messes cleaned up in no time. It was just the hunter’s club payin’ me a visit. They like to keep me company when the days are slow.”

{...}

Motel Owner: [Sternly, all appearances of friendliness gone] “I think it’d be best if you didn’t take a closer look, Hunter.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “Those are some mighty accusations. I didn’t touch your pet leech.”

{...}

Motel Owner: “I’d suggest you calm down. I don’t wanna have to get the gents from the hunters club to solve this dispute. How about you just go along your merry way and I’ll forget you even passed through this town? We’ll even call the disposal of that blood sucker a favour, from one problem-solver to another.”

[Listener grabs the Motel Owner by the collar and slams the Motel Owner into the wall, pinning them in place. The Motel Owner swears, colourfully]

Motel Owner: “Get off me you crazy—”

[A bang as the Listener lifts the Motel Owner off the wall and slams them into it again]

Motel Owner: [Panicked, quickly] “Alright! Alright! I switched out the rain tank’s water with holy water when you were out! Once we were sure they were hurt enough we went in and made sure the deal was done with a few silver bullets.”

{—}

Motel Owner: “By Old Hank’s hut! I got some of the boys to drag them out and dump ‘em in the lake!”

{...}

Motel Owner: “We’re desperate alright! Everybody on this side of the country knows Lake Stine is dryin’ up! Mother Nature was clearly punishin’ us for letting those magic corrupted folk run around like they owned the place after the walled cities opened up! We were just givin’ back to her!”

[Thump as Listener drops the Motel Owner, who crumbles in a heap on the floor. Rushed footsteps as the Listener runs out and the bell above the door rings again.]

Motel Owner: [Trembling] “Crazy bastard.”

[Scene changes as the Listener runs to the lake’s shore. Rain comes down hard and fast and the wind howls loudly. Gravel and sand crunches under the Listener’s boots as they come to a stop. Shuffling of fabric before their jacket hits the ground as they fumble around taking their outer-layer of clothes off. After a few beats of clothes removal, the Listener dives into the water and begins to swim. General underwater noises for a few beats as the Listener searches before they resurface with Athol]

Athol: [Coughing, spluttering] “What’re you—?”

[Listener swims Athol and themself back to shore as Athol coughs and sucks in big breaths of air. Gravel sound effect as the Listener drags Athols body onto the shore]

Athol: [Strained] “Holy Mother Mary and all things saintly that hurts.”

{...}

Athol: [Obviously hurt, wheezing in breaths of air] “The bullets… Can’t let myself heal over them…”

{...}

Athol: “Silver doesn’t do much to vampires—” [Cut off as Athol coughs hard] “Won’t heal right if they don’t come out though.”

{—}

Athol: “No— don’t. You’ll hurt—” [Cut off again as Athol coughs]

[Athol continues to cough and generally groan in pain as the Listener digs out the bullets. The sound of hissing flesh due to heat/burning grows until the tinkling of metal hitting the floor signifying the Listener has gotten them out]

Athol: [coughs subsiding] “Your hands—”

{...}

Athol: “Found—” [coughing] “Found the missing car… sunken to the bottom of the lake…”

{...}

Athol: [Loopy from pain] “...drink…? What?”

[Listener presses their wrist to Athol’s lips. The rain slows down before fading entirely]

Athol: “What’re you…?”

[Athol breathes heavily for a few moments before biting the Listener. Athol takes a few deep gulps before they let go]

Athol: “That’s… enough… need to rest.”

[Listener picks Athol up and walks along the gravel to the car. Improv generally pained noises and laboured breathing that gradually evens out. The car door opens and the Listener sets Athol down in the passenger seat.]

Athol: [Hissing in pain] “Careful.”

[Seatbelt slides out and clicks into place. Athol’s door closes. Listener’s door opens. Car starts and begins driving down the road]